Cop, bandit killed in separate encounters

A police constable and an alleged bandit were killed in separate encounters at various parts of the metropolis here on Thursday. According to police, a constable of DHA security vigilance team lost his live when the bandits opened indiscriminate gunshots during encounter with police at Khayaban-e-Behria Defence in the limits of Gizri police station.
They said the incident took place on early Thursday when some three bandits, who entered house, situated at Defence Khayaban-e-Behria and held all family members hostage at gunpoint. One of the family members buzzed the security alarm to call DHA security for rescue. Reacting on the alarm, the DHA security staff intercepted the bandits.
Meanwhile, PC Zafar Iqbal, 43, son of Abdullah Khan received fatal bullet wounds when he tried to nab one of the bandits. Later, two of the bandits namely Waseem and Javed were arrested after brief encounter while a third bandit Hassan managed to flee from the scene. Police said the accused Javed also received bullet wounds during encounter and they had recovered two TT pistols from their possession.
The body of Zafar was shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for medico legal formalities. Police said the victim, who was deployed in DHA security and was living in DHA quarter, hailed from Chakwal Punjab. In another incident, Sohrab Goth police claimed to have killed a notorious criminal during encounter at Indus Plaza in the limits of Sohrab Goth police station.
The police had faced resistance when they on the information of notorious criminals belonging to Fateh Group conducted raid at the said place. On police retaliation, an alleged criminal namely Abdul Khalil son of Abdul Rehman was killed while his six other accomplices escaped under the cover of heavy gunshots. DSP Nisar Lodhi confirmed the death of Khalil, adding that the accused person, who was the resident of Medina Colony Sacchal area, belonged to notorious criminal Group 'Fateh'.
He said they had also recovered a TT pistol from his possession and added that this group was involved in land grabbing. The body was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH) for post mortem. He said the victim, who hailed from Afghanistan, was involved in several cases of kidnapping for ransom, robberies, attempt to rape and other heinous crimes. Later police moved his body to Edhi Morgue. No case was registered till filing of this report.